How to Hold the Yarn for Crochet (and Why It Matters More Than You Think) – Step 2

By Nicki Byrnes

April 22, 2026

Once you understand how to make a slip knot, it’s time to move on to the next step: how to hold the yarn.

This is the part that tends to feel a little awkward at first—and if you’re eager to jump straight into stitches, it can also feel like something you just want to rush through.

But this is one of those foundational skills that quietly shapes everything that comes after.

The way you hold your yarn affects your tension, your control, and how your stitches form. It’s something I spend a lot of time on with students, because once it clicks, everything else becomes so much easier. Establish good habits now.

A Simple Way to Think About It

I like to give this a little structure so it’s easier to remember:

Pinky, pointer, pinch.

You’re not just holding yarn. You’re setting up a system your hands can repeat without overthinking.

You’ll notice pretty quickly that people hold their yarn in all kinds of ways. This is the method I teach, and I think you’ll really love how it feels once it clicks.

Watch the Tutorial

I have a quick, straight forward video (about 3 minutes) that walks through exactly how to hold the yarn step by step. You can watch it below.

As you go through it, give yourself permission to pause, rewind, and replay as many times as you need. This isn’t something most people get instantly—and that’s completely normal.

The goal isn’t speed. It’s familiarity and then mastery of the hold I demonstrate below.

When your yarn is held in a way that feels comfortable and controlled, your tension evens out, your stitches become more consistent, and you don’t have to fight your hands every step of the way.

Try this method, give it a little time, and you’ll be surprised at how quickly it starts to click.

Step-by-Step: How to Hold Your Yarn

I’m going to explain this as a right-handed crocheter. If you’re left-handed, simply swap “right” and “left” as you follow along.

You’ve made your slip knot, your loop is in place on the hook, and you’re ready to engage your other hand. This is where slowing down really pays off.

Start by separating your yarn:

• Hold the hook in your right hand, facing left (left hand/facing right if you’re a leftie)
• Pinch the indents on the hook with your thumb and pointer finger to hold it like a knife
• The hook should be parallel to the ground with the tip of the hook facing you
• Grab the tail end (the short piece not attached to the skein) with your right fingers
• This helps you clearly identify the working yarn (the strand attached to the skein), so you don’t accidentally use the wrong one

Now hold up your non-dominant hand, palm facing you:

• Reach behind the working yarn and grab it with your pinky finger; keep your pinky pointing up
• Rotate your wrist and hook the yarn with your pointer finger (your wrist will naturally rotate slightly here)
• Use your left hand middle finger and thumb to pinch the slip knot, right under the hook

That’s your setup: Pinky. Pointer. Pinch.

What We’re Creating

Think of this setup like a slingshot.

The left hand stays relatively still. It holds the structure and controls the yarn.

The right hand will do the work.

When your yarn is held in a way that feels comfortable and controlled, your tension evens out, your stitches become more consistent, and you don’t have to fight your hands every step of the way.

A Quick Note on Tension

This hold is what sets you up for good tension. But tension itself comes with practice.

If it feels awkward at first, you’re doing it right.

Most beginners need to try this several times before it starts to feel natural. Give yourself that space to learn. Pause the video, reset your hands, and try again.

Practicing this setup at least 10 times before moving on will help build muscle memory faster than you think, especially if you pair it with a simple project like a single crochet scarf. This is critical; please do not skip this practice. You will take your hand out of the yarn hold throughout your crocheting for many reasons (to pull more yarn from the skein, to take a break, to readjust, etc.), so get used to letting go of the yarn and redoing your pinky-pointer-pinch.

Recap

• Hold your hook in your dominant hand
• Identify your tail vs. working yarn
• Use your non-dominant pinky and pointer to grab the yarn
• Pinch the slip knot for control with your non-dominant hand – you will always pinch this spot under the hook, even as your work gets longer
• Don’t rush – this is what makes everything else easier

Try this method, give it a little time, and you’ll be surprised at how quickly it starts to click.

If you missed the previous step, you can go back and read How to Make a Slip Knot, where we walk through the very first step of starting your crochet.

And when you’re ready, move on to the next tutorial: Part 4: How to Chain. This is where your first real stitches begin.

If you missed how to make a slip knot (or the loop the hook goes into), check out my easy tutorial in my blog post, How to Make a Slip Knot.